The Rear glass of my car shattered because of the heat. The sound was so loud that I heard it in my office. We all rushed out dreading that maybe its some horrible calamity. The majority of those gathered saw the funnier side of it but I stood dazed. Firstly, I felt annoyed at the damage and secondly the Heat that encircled me was making me extremely uncomfortable. The temperature for the day, according to the weather department, was 45 Degree Celsius (113 Degree Fahrenheit) but it felt like it was 50 plus. The Heat was so intense that it was difficult to open my eyes. All the laborers working had their faces wrapped around with a wet cloth and they could be exempted for working slowly. To work in this heat is a crime on humanity.
As the Skyscrapers in Dubai go up and the city becomes the NEW Tourist Hotspot those who toil hard to make this transition come true are often forgotten. I saw a French Documentary once about the maltreatment of the laborers in the Labor Camps of Dubai, it was very thought provoking. I myself have visited the same site and many other sites like that where the living conditions are appalling. With the western media now starting to take notice and the general public outcry, the Government is starting to take steps to curtail such practices. But the job at hand is very huge and there are very few people who work pro-actively for this cause.
My brother & me went out to these labor camps to distribute some food. On seeing those residing there we felt ashamed that we had brought so little. And all of them had woeful stories and desires of reuniting with the loved ones they left behind. They had come here for a better tomorrow, now all they have are the blissful memories of the past. While returning from the camp it felt good inside that we had done our part to make a little difference to their lives.
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My brother & me went out to these labor camps to distribute some food. On seeing those residing there we felt ashamed that we had brought so little. And all of them had woeful stories and desires of reuniting with the loved ones they left behind. They had come here for a better tomorrow, now all they have are the blissful memories of the past. While returning from the camp it felt good inside that we had done our part to make a little difference to their lives.
Are these workers from India and Pakistan?
Maybe there is more you can do. What are they being paid? What is their minimum wage? If it's not enough to full sustain themselves, then you can campaign to the government to have something done about this, etc.
fully* (typo)
Are these workers from India and Pakistan?>
Yes, Most of them are from the Subcontinent that would include countries like Nepal & Bangladesh.
Minimum wage.. they get paid US $ 160 for 30 days of hard labor in the sun. The workshift starts at 7am and lasts till 7pm. They are given residence by their employers but these camps where they stay are unhygenic and 8 to 10 people sleep in one room :(
The Government has started to take notice, it has prohibited outdoor work during the afternoon, 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm,under the sorching summer heat. But there are many violaters of this law and at the end of the day not much is being done to safegaurd the rights of these laborers.
It makes you wonder do they really have any rights?
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